Streaming music: even better than the real thing?

Is social-networking and the advent of cloud-based computing contributing to the death of downloads? A Guardian report discusses how the cloud is increasingly ensuring it is no longer necessary to download or store music. So, the article asks, will downloading music soon go the way of the dodo?

Children spending half as much time in class as they do looking at screens

According to a new book discussing how businesses harness 'pester power' and target children through new media, kids today spend twice as must time in front of a telly or computer as they do in the classroom, reports The Times.

CXOs unplugged: John Timpson

What's the secret of survival on Britain's high street? Try delegating control to your managers. John Timpson, chairman of 143-year-old shoe repair and locksmiths chain Timpson, explains the concept of 'upside down management'.

C K Prahalad: Are Your Business Beliefs Outdated?

Business has come a long way since the days of Henry Ford's 'any colour as long as it's black' mantra. Now the consumer has the final say, says C K Prahalad in his book The New Age of Innovation. Here BNET.co.uk's editor Joanna Higgins interviews Prahalad on the changing world of business.

Spammers poised to target BlackBerry and iPhone owners

Security experts have warned that the popularity of the iPhone, BlackBerry and other smartphones is making the devices an increased target for viruses, spam and malware, the Times reports. Neil Cook of Cloudmark said: "Spammers are really very good businessmen. They see new opportunities and new markets," adding where there is significant market share - which the smartphone phenomenon is creating - spammers will follow.

Lewis estate takes on 11-year-old in new battle of Narnia

The purchase of a dot-mobi address referring to the popular Narnia books by C S Lewis by a parent for his 11-year-old's birthday has sparked a huge legal battle, The Guardian reports. C S Lewis Ltd claim the purchaser intends to use the Narnia name for financial gain - a claim strongly denied by the Edinburgh man. The domain name has been frozen while the World Intellectual Property Organisation investigates the case.

'Herds' of wary cars could keep an eye out for thieves

Car alarms are taking a change of direction, in the shape of safety in numbers, the NewScientist reports. Multiple hidden sensors are placed in vehicles that act as a watchdog to other cars. When the driver leaves the car, the signals are switched on and other cars are alerted via these signals. If the car goes out of range - i.e. it moves - before the driver returns and 'unlocks' the signals then the nearest car sends an automated alert to a centralised system…

Phone calls database considered

It has emerged that ministers are considering plans for a database that will hold details of every email and every phone call sent and made in the UK, the BBC reports. First reported in The Times, the plans may be included in a draft of the Communications Bill which is due later this year. According to the Home Office, the Bill will ensure "crucial capabilities" for using data for counter-terrorism measures.

Nasa life-hunter closes in on Mars

Nasa is one step closer to detecting signs of life on Mars, the Times reports. The Mars Phoenix lander spaceship has just two million miles to go on its plus-420 million mile journey to the red planet.